I had so many photos from New York, and here I am with almost nothing to show for Chicago.

I felt bad about it.

Poor Chicago...didn't get much love from me.

But I realized the lack of photos came from me focusing more on spending time with my cousins.

That makes me really happy.

The memories that I have with them means more to me than a bunch of artsy photos to blog about.

I have tons of photos and videos with them.

I had the best time exploring their hometown.

We were all really close already, but this trip made us even closer.

I love my family, and I'm so blessed to have been able to take some time off work to go visit them.

What resonated with me...

The Bean

So cool in person. It's fun to people watch at tourist spots. People were just staring at their own reflections for daaaaays.

Naperville

Biggest suburb I've ever been in. I wasn't used to the size since my hometown isn't all that big. I fell in love with this town. Driving around with my cousins, doing mundane things, I lived for those moments. Any time spent with them is time well spent.

I enjoyed seeing all the Chicago Bulls team spirit. I'm from the Bay, so it's all about the Golden State Warriors around here. (GO WARRIORS!) It's awesome to see the pride in other states. This one girl was working real hard to recreate Michael Jordan's iconic pose in front of his iconic statue for a picture. She was decked out in Bulls colors. I could feel the team spirit.

Friday, September 22, 2017 marks the first day of fall.I'm wrapping up the end of the season by posting about the highlights of my summer.I FINALLY WENT TO NEW YORK Y'ALL!I was there for about 4 whole days.I took so many pictures. Wow.This is probably the most I've ever struggled over selecting, editing, and rearranging pictures for a single post.These are my favorite shots to come outta New York.This is New York through my eyes.What resonated with me...9/11 Memorial and MuseumI kid you not, I think about it all the time now. I cried so much. I could feel the energy of what-used-to-be. Everything in the museum hit me right in the heart. I learned about a man who once lived in my hometown. I've seen his name many times around town-- I now know his story. I will forever think of him as a hero.The architectureStunning. As you may already know, San Francisco is my favorite city. The architecture there absolutely slays me. I find beauty in the ordinary. New York slayed me with their architecture too. It felt like home. Every nook and cranny was a photo opportunity. Cities are inspirational places. It's the architecture. Fort Tryon ParkA quiet, tranquil place amongst a bustling city. This is my best friend's favorite spot in NY. I understand why. Thank you Ben for sharing it with me. I hold it in my heart forever.Rockefeller CenterI grew up watching the Today Show, so it was exciting to see the studio where all the tv magic takes place. I fangirled a lot. Also, I love Savannah Guthrie.The Statue of LibertyAmazing in person. I couldn't stop staring. The Tiffany's featured in Breakfast at Tiffany'sTo walk where Audrey Hepburn once walked was a dream come true. I looked at the jewelry displays and almost felt her presence. It was kinda bizarre. After being in very white, conservative cities in the beginning of my vacation, New York was a breath of fresh air. I'm still a Bay Area girl (cannot STAND humidity), but I enjoyed New York. I gotta go back sometime during the Fall/Winter.photos by mephotos of me by my sister